For those who observed Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan, President and Commander-in-Chief of our armed forces during her new year’s address on December 31st, 2024, she delivered a message with a hopeful undertone.
Her composed eloquence might have taken many by surprise.
While the rest of the family had rushed to church to wait for new years eve, me and my mother where glued on television watching TBC one waiting for the President to address the nation, as 2024 came to an end.
And in this opinion, I will reflect on the cusp of history circa 2024, giving some insights for all citizens, but above all for the foreign investors and international community, who wish to fully grasp not only the message, but interpret the President’s address as in Tanzania she is the leader of all people, nationals and international citizens.
I will specifically give a scholarly perspective, not an expert opinion but one which will result in the clear understanding of our president’s message, and in some cases reflect the undertones.
Her Excellency’s Speech Introduction: Year 2024 was a moment of reflection and gratitude.
At 9:00’ O’clock, the president approached the podium, flagged by two flags draping, on her left flag of the President of the United Republic of Tanzania, and on her right flag of the nation.
For full time speech writers, the president began her address by saying quote:
“Fellow Citizens, today, on December 31st, we conclude the year 2024, and usher in the year 2025.
We thank the Almighty God for the blesssings of life and good health.
To our fellow citizens facing health challenges, we continue to pray for their recovery so that they may return to their duties of nation building.” End quote.
Analysis:
President Samia opened her address by emphasizing gratitude to God and acknowledging the collective resilience of the Tanzanian people. Her composed resonant voice sets a tone of the Tanzania experience, which is cultural depth and values of solidarity, which are vital traits for a stable society.
Comforter in Chief: As she continued speaking, President Samia uniquely showed her in chief comforting power, when she said “We also remember our relatives and friends who are no longer with us, whom we wish could be here today. But by God’s will, that was not possible. Let us continue to pray for their eternal rest. Amen.”
From the beginning of her administration, the president empathy has been reflected in natural calamities, road carnage and accidents, and funerals of both officials and normal citizens.
In her December address, the President’s acknowledgment of health challenges faced by citizens and remembrance of those who passed away underscores her empathy and positions her as a leader grounded in human connection, rhetorical skill as the comforter in chief.
Rhetoric undertone: For the audience that hardly understands Swahili, the president’s speech introduction, subtly reflected a governance model that prioritizes the well-being of Tanzanian citizens and societal harmony.
For potential investors, the speech is also a reflection of a government that believes in human values, laying a foundation for sustainable economic, social and health policies.
The year 2024 was a historic year: In her speech, the president said the year 2024 was a historic year. Her language was more adept to major commemorations that happened in 2024.
In her address she said “as I mentioned earlier, 2024 was a historic year. We celebrated 60 years since the establishment of our Union.
The President’s reference to the 60th anniversary of the Union between Tanganyika and Zanzibar is not just a celebration but a reaffirmation of Tanzania’s political stability.
It reflected her true belief in the union, and her faith in democracy.
She went on to quote former first President, the Father of the Nation, Mwalimu Julius Nyerere, when she said,
“Tanzania is a country we created ourselves, of our own free will, after liberating it from colonial rule.”
Let us, therefore, continue to take pride in and preserve our nationhood, founded on the strong principles of the Union between two closely connected Tanzanian societies on the mainland, and in the aisles in Zanzibar.
Analysis: The President invoked the legacy of Mwalimu Julius Nyerere, underscoring Tanzania’s deliberate and independent formation as a nation.
This historical reflection highlights a country that has successfully maintained peace and unity for over six decades.
For confidence to investors, such stability is rare in many developing nations but above all rare in the great lake zone and East African region.
It assures foreign investors of a secure environment for long-term investments. Furthermore, the Union’s endurance suggests robust governance frameworks.
Which means the government had maintained openness to private sectors to thrive, predictable legal frame work, and a harmonious investment realm in the year 2024.
Rhetoric Undertone: By evoking national pride, the President seeks to consolidate internal cohesion while signaling externally that Tanzania’s resilience extends to its business environment.
In addition to celebrating 60 years of our Union, the president further said that we also marked 60 years since the Glorious Zanzibar Revolution, 60 years of the Tanzania People’s Defense Forces, 60 years of the Tanzania Police Force, and 60 years of the Uhuru Torch.
In this case, the historic sense of the year 2024 is justified.
However, the year 2024 is also historic as it is the final year of transition of having our first woman president in office, who will also run for president as the first president to be in office.
As far as the president’s speech did not mention this it is a reflection of President Samia’s humility and pragmatic selfless character, that she represents the nation, and not merely herself.
The practice of Presidential speech analysis isn’t easy, if one is not broad minded it can be very sophistic. But the wisdom of analysis in this opinion is done to the best of competence, of someone who watched the president’s speech live, and one who had done careful repetition of reading the whole speech word by word in a paper draft document.
Further in her speech she also said; “It is a great honor that we held these commemorations while our nation remained safe, peaceful, and stable.
I truly commend our defense and security forces for their tremendous work in safeguarding our country. I also thank the citizens for continuing to uphold peace and national unity, which uniquely defines Tanzania.” End quote.
Advancing Democracy Through Local Government Elections:
President Samia came into power with a philosophy of deep democratic convictions dubbed 4R, this was also reflected in her address in December 31st when she said:
“Fellow Citizens, this year, we also held Local Government Elections peacefully and without incident. For the first time, unopposed candidates had to seek the consent of the people through a vote of either “yes” or “no.” This officially ended the practice of automatic unopposed victories, marking significant progress in the development of democracy in our country.” End quote.
In the year 2024, the practice of universal suffrage and democracy as reflected under article 8(1) (a) of the Constitution of the United Republic of Tanzania was seen in the local elections.
The introduction of a “Yes” or “No” vote for constituencies with unopposed candidates during the local elections marked a significant stride in deepening democratic practices.
In her speech by emphasizing transparency and citizen involvement President Samia Suluhu, more than any other modern president, six the late Benjamin Mkapa era, has demonstrated an administration for inclusive governance.
Her presidential address rhetoric reflected a tone rooted in belief of democracy.
Unbroken by the actions of riff rampant that wanted to taint her true presidential character, the president’s speech was a mirror that showed commitment to inclusive participation in governance.
Rhetoric undertone: I have no clue behind the stylistic sense of the president’s speech writer prior to her address on december 31st 2024.
But the President has been an international figure who was once voted one of the most influential women and African statesmen for two consecutive years.
Therefore, foreign envoys must know President Samia continues to be committed to democracy, and Tanzania remains committed to democratic values, aligning itself with international norms and expectations.
The Digital Economy and Technological Advancements:
I didn’t hear the president speak about artificial intelligence, and I was surprised.
My mother who was also watching said, you must learn to hear when you listen to presidential speeches, some clarity is more holistic than specific she said.
Now, in her speech the president indicated Tanzania’s readiness to integrate into the global digital economy. Investors in technology sectors, particularly those focusing on fintech and digital infrastructure, will find this development promising.
For the sake of profundity, the President said quote:
“This year, we also advanced efforts to build a digital economy through the use of ICT. In this regard, we established a dedicated Ministry of ICT and launched the Digital Economy Strategy.
Among our future plans under this strategy is ensuring every Tanzanian is identified through a Unique Identification Number issued by the National Identification Authority (NIDA).” End quote.
Rhetoric undertone: For the Global Investor in digital technology, also subtly positioned Tanzania’s as a competitive readiness within the East African Community for tech-focused foreign direct investment (FDI), aiming to outpace regional peers like Kenya and Rwanda.
International relations, diplomatic achievements and strategic partnerships: “Our diplomatic visits to 16 countries enabled us to build economic and political relations.
My visit to South Korea resulted in securing concessional loans amounting to USD 2.5 billion for development projects.
These funds will support the construction of a modern railway training center, an aviation training institute, a power distribution centre in Nyakanazi, and a mineral processing centre with modern gem laboratories.” End quote.
Diplomacy is a dynamic rich realm.
And the president reflected that in her speech as well.
Further she highlighted her participation in the G20 Summit and securing USD 2.5 billion in concessional loans from South Korea highlight Tanzania’s rising diplomatic profile.
Projects financed through these partnerships ranging from railway development to hospital expansion are strategically chosen to impact key sectors.
Analysis: For foreign investors, Tanzania’s active diplomacy signals a government that values international collaboration.
The diversification of projects indicates balanced growth, minimizing sectoral risks for investors.
Rhetoric Undertone: These diplomatic wins project Tanzania as a credible player on the global stage, leveraging its strategic geographic location and political stability to attract large-scale investments beyond the year 2024.
Celebrating Global Representation and Mourning a Loss.
The president also reminded the country and the international community on the sad passing on of the Dr. Faustine Ndungulile, in her address in December 31st 2024, when she said quote:
“Tanzania also shone on the global stage when our candidate, Dr. Faustine Ndugulile, ran for and won the position of Director of the World Health Organization (WHO) Africa Region.
However, by God’s will, Dr. Ndugulile passed away before assuming office. We continue to pray for his eternal peace.” End quote.
In her solemn reflection of the election of the late Dr. Faustine Ndugulile as Director of the WHO Africa Region, despite his untimely passing, symbolizes Tanzania’s intellectual and professional contributions to global governance.
A possibility and prospect for the country to pick another candidate for the role, this time Professor Mohamed Janabi.
This underscores the caliber of leadership and expertise Tanzania offers, fostering confidence in the country’s institutions and human capital.
Rhetoric Undertone: The recognition of Ndugulile’s achievement reflects a nation confident in its global standing while acknowledging the fragility of life a message of humility and resolve.
Economic Growth and Stability: On the economy, the president touched with a tone that reflected stability and pre-eminence growth, as quoted below:
“The year 2024 has been prosperous and successful, and we must thank God for everything. Our nation’s economy continued to strengthen and benefit citizens.
Between January and June 2024, the economy grew by 5.4% compared to 4.8% during the same period in 2023.
Public debt also remained sustainable. Inflation stayed within the target of 3%, supported by prudent monetary policies.
We witnessed an increase in both domestic and foreign investments.
Through the Tanzania Investment Centre, 865 investment projects worth USD 7.7 billion were registered between January and November 2024, expected to create 205,000 jobs.
The Export Processing Zones Authority (EPZA) issued licenses for 15 new major factories worth USD 235 million, projected to create nearly 6,000 jobs and generate exports valued at USD 94 million annually.
Regarding revenue, the Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA) collected TZS 21.276 trillion between January and October 2024, achieving 99.3% of the target. This represents a 17.5% increase compared to the same period in 2023.”
Analysis: The above metrics signal robust macroeconomic management. For foreign investors, low inflation and manageable public debt are critical indicators of a stable investment climate.
The registration of 865 investment projects and the involvement of the Export Processing Zones Authority (EPZA) underscore Tanzania’s openness to business.
Rhetoric Undertone: By coupling economic data with job creation numbers, the President aimed to reassure international stakeholders that economic growth is not just statistical but translates into tangible societal benefits.
Optimism and Vision for 2025
Finally, the President concluded her speech by expressing gratitude for the progress made and optimism for the future. This optimism is not merely rhetorical but grounded in tangible achievements and clearly articulated plans.
Impact on Investors: This forward-looking approach assures the international community that Tanzania is committed to continuity and progress. It sets the stage for sustained growth and further integration into global economic systems.
Final Undertone: The speech as a whole subtly but effectively positions Tanzania as a nation ready to engage, compete, and thrive on the global stage a clear invitation to foreign investors and partners.
(Novatus Igosha is an advocate of the High Court, and a contributing columnist in International Affairs).
Mobile: +255719500555 Email: novartigoshaj@gmail.com
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